Lath support and loom fastener



Feb. 14, 1928.

1,659,295 P. P. KAUFMAN LATH SUPPORT AND LOOM FASTENER Filed Ju1y23, 1925 Patented Feb; 14; 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PHILI BPETER KAUFMAN, F APPLETON, WISCONSIN.

LATE SUIPYQRT AND LOOM FASTENER.

' Application filed m 23, J This invention relates to lath supports'and loom fasteners.

In providing outlet boxes for electric wires in building, difliculty has been experienced, due to the unsupported ends of the laths which are necessarily cut at a point where the boxes protrude.

This invention. is designed to be an adequate and secure support for these transverse free ends of the laths and to provide means which also engage the insulatingpr protecting sheath of the wires and thusaids in retaining the sheaths in correct posltlon relatively to the other parts.

Further objects are to provide a device which may be stamped from sheet metal in a very rapid and inexpensive manner, and which does not require any manipulation in applying it.

An embodiment of the invention isshown in the accompanying drawings, in which z:-

Figure l is-a view looking at the upper or ceiling portion of the room, showing the f device in position with parts broken away for clearness. I Figure 2 is a sectional view through the device.

Figure 3, is a transverse sectional view on the line 3'3 of Figure 2.

Referring to thedrawings, it willbe seen that the two by fours are indicated by reference character 1, and that the laths 2 are continuous on opposite sides of the box whereas the laths 3 are cut away at the point where the out-let box 4 projects. It is the customary practice to support these outlet boxes by means of ametal bar 5 secured to the-uprights. The lath supports comprise a pair of ,4 plates 6 which are mounted on opposite sides of the box and are provided with a strap 7 struck from'the body of these plates. This strap is passed below the bar 5 and also receives the ends of the laths 3. It is to be notegsuthat the plates are cut away to the curitedline-8 adjacent the box and are provided with inwardly extending tongues 9 which ay be approximately radial, if desired, and as indicated in the drawings.

9 These projecting portions 9 are positioned 1 preferably above the box'and aid in supporting the plates so that the plates may be supported by the joint action of the box, the

rod or bar 5, and the outer lath 2, as indicated in Figure 1. This provides a very secure and firm support for the free ends of 1925. Serial No. 45,579.

the laths 3 and does not require any skill on the part of the operator.

It is to be noted from reference to Figure 1 that the tongues 9 are positioned adjacent the knock-out openings 10 of the outlet box and thus aid in locking the covering or insulating sheaths of the wires in place. In positioning the loom throu h the apertures 10 in the box 4, it may be further desirable to slightly slide the lath supporting members inwardly, attention being directed to Figure 1 of the drawings. This slides the fingers 9 slightly inwardly and permits the free insertion of the ends of the loom through the apertures in the box. Thereafter, the lath supports may be tapped to move them rearwardly until they snap back of the sides of the box as shown in Figure 2. They will then cause the cylindrical edges of the face 8 of the lath support to engage the cylindrical face of the box and will prevent the lath supports from shifting their position.

It has been found that the tongues 9 act in the manner of latches, their beveled faces 8 slightly biting into the yielding looms and thus latching them in position.

It-will be seen that a very elficient and simple type of lath support and loom fastener has been provided, which may be ap- S5 plied by an unskilled laborer in asimple manner. and which may be very cheaply manufactured.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail, it is to be understood that the same may be variously embodied and. is, therefore, to be limited only as claimed.

I claim 1. The combination of a plurality of laths, certain of which have free ends and others of whichare continuous, an outlet box positioned between the free ends'of the laths,

a bar sgpporting said outlet box, and a pair of lattifsupportlng members positioned on opposite sides of said box and each consisting .of a plate having an offset loop surrounding the laths adjacent their free ends and the supporting bar, saidplates having oppositely disposed fingerspositioned adjacent and extending across a portion of the knock-out apertures ofifsaidoutlet box, said lath supporting members having portions bearing against the side wallsof the box to holdthe said fingers in position. 2. The combination of a plurality of laths, certain of which have free ends and others 'tion'ed between the free ends of the'lat s, a

bar supporting said outlet box, and a pair of lath supporting members positioned on opposite sides of said box and each consisting of a plate having an oflset loop surrounding the laths adjacent their free ends and the sup orting bar, said plates having oppositely isposed fingers positioned .adjacent. and extending across a portion of the knock-out apertures of saidoutlet box, and projecting laterally and supported by the continuouslaths, said lath supporting mem bers' having portions bearing against the side walls of the box to hold the said fingers in position. a

. 3.- A lath support and loom fastener comprising a plate of sheet metal provided with .means for supportinga plurality of lath ends and having a pan of oppositely disposed converging edge portions having be= tween them an edge ortion adapted to engage the side walls of the outlet box.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing K have hereunto set my hand at Appleton, in the county of Outagamie and State of Wisconsin. r

P PETER 

